1)
Title: “Crashes
up 39% at intersections in Tampa with red-light Cameras City officials slam
system as contract is being renegotiated - City officials slam system as
contract is being renegotiated”
Description
of problem: The city of Tampa has put in red-light
cameras in the last few years and now the city is reevaluating their decision. These
red light cameras have actually increased accidents around the city instead of
decreasing them. When people know there are red light cameras, they are more
likely to quickly slam on the brakes at a yellow light instead of deciding whether
it would be smarter to stop or go through the yellow. The number of pedestrian
deaths had a 51% increase in the past year. Not only are these cameras not
safer, but they are also causing the city to lose money. Taxpayers are pouring
money into the endeavor, and it is in fact just hurting more people.
Who
has the problem?
The problem lies with the city of Tampa. The government,
drivers, taxpayers, and pedestrians are all affected by these red light
cameras.
2)
Title: “House advances
bill to let state OK charter schools Opponents worry it will take away local
control - Opponents worry it will take away local control”
Description
of problem: In Florida charter schools will now be
approved and regulated by the state instead of the local governments. The problem
is that the state government doesn’t have a good idea of what is going on in
every county, so they can sometimes make bad decisions as far as where to put schools
and how to run them. The state government currently has charter schools in
areas that are not able to support charter schools.
Whose
problem is it?
The problem lies with the Florida School Board, and
parents. Parents want to send kids to good schools and the Florida School Board
can’t guarantee that any school will be good because they can’t regulate or run
the schools.
3)
Title: “Congestion on
northbound I-275 to frustrate drivers for 4-6 more weeks - Officials wrongly
predicted traffic jams would ease”
Description:
There is an area on I-275 that is severely congested due to new traffic
patterns caused by construction. I-275 is an interstate that goes around and
through the heart of Tampa; it is many people’s main road to commuting to their
jobs in Tampa. This congestion has caused many commuters to become frustrated because
their commutes just became significantly longer.
Whose
problem is it?
The commuters in the Tampa area, and the city of Tampa
are affected by this congested traffic. Commuters have to take more time out of
their way to drive to work and tourists are going to be deterred from Tampa as
the traffic becomes harder to get through.
4)
Title: “Protesters
decry suit against school voucher program”
Description:
People marched in protest to the capital of Florida to stand up for the use of
school vouchers. School vouchers are essentially vouchers given to certain
students who are in poor school districts to give them money and funding to
attend a private school. The state is arguing that these vouchers take away
from the education system as a whole and the money should be put towards the
school system as a whole trying to improve the schools in the bad areas.
Whose
problem is it?
This problem lies with parents, children, and the
Florida School board. The parents want to be able to send their kids to good
schools, and children need a good education. The Florida School Board is at a
crossroads with what to do with their money. They are unsure where their money
will help the most.
5)
Title:
“Obama’s
last State of Union reminds us why we’re angry”
Description: This article was all about how citizens
are dissatisfied with how Obama performed in his time in the presidency. Over
the years there have been more divisions between the parties; not only that,
but the candidates that are up for election this coming year are all angry. They
are angry and bitter that America has “fallen off the rails”. This article was
clearly an opinion article reflecting only a section of the population, but it
does bring forth a big problem… we, as citizens, don’t know who to trust in the
presidency.
Whose
problem is it?
This problem is every American citizen’s problem.
People are dissatisfied with our government as a whole, and no one knows how to
fix the problems. Heck, no one can really identify what the problems are. Money?
Marriage? Healthcare? There are a lot when it comes to Washington. Local
newspapers are reporting this stuff because it really does affect everyone.
Hi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteYour post about the red light cameras is really interesting! I am one of the people who believe that installing red light cameras is the best way to prevent people from the accidents. As I was doing this assignment, I found out that there are A LOT of problems that no one knows how to fix them as you mentioned! Also, I am curious how your local newspaper has the story about Obama's last State of Union. You are always welcomed to read my post and give me some feedback! It is http://bongjukang.blogspot.com/2016/01/identifying-local-opportunities.html
I really like the focus of your articles. These are all very interesting problems, and you were very clear and thorough about identifying the problem and whom it is affecting. Here's mine: http://lfrancie.blogspot.com/2016/01/identifying-local-opportunities.html
ReplyDeleteCourtney,
ReplyDeleteYour post about red light cameras causing more accidents is somewhat surprising to me but it makes sense. In many cases it is safer to run the yellow light than slam your brakes. I also agree with what you said about American citizens not being able to identify the important problems in our country and their lack of trust in our president.